Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete private treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not service connected, and his left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and adjudicative action, including obtaining a VA medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral flat feet, GERD, and arthritis of the right knee and leg. The claim for GERD was reopened but still denied. The other claims were not reopened.

The Veteran's left foot disorder and hypertension were not found to be related to service, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including retrocalcaneal bursitis and neurofibromas, is currently rated at 30 percent since February 21, 2012. The effective date for service connection of these conditions has been established as August 18, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 30 percent since September 2, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating was 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and scoliosis of the back were evaluated for increased ratings, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating schedules.,Both conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot pes planus, low back disorder, and left knee disorder are all service-connected. The right foot pes planus is presumed to have been aggravated by service. The low back and left knee disorders are found to be aggravated by her service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, claimed as pes planus, is being remanded due to the need for clarification of whether his condition is considered a congenital defect or disease. The Board will seek an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the currently-diagnosed pes planus originated during service or is otherwise etiologically related to any symptomatology noted in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies, including the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing additional evidence added to the record since the most recent statements of the case or supplemental statements of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic rhinitis, generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, sinusitis, esophageal hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral hearing loss, meet the criteria for a TDIU and VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her Reserve and active duty service treatment records, as well as any private sector medical records. She must also be asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain her VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The issues of an increased rating for major depression and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to support a finding that these conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity have been granted effective from November 24, 2010.,An initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted effective from March 5, 2009.